Electronic apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one exemplary embodiment, an electronic apparatus is provided with: a casing which includes a first casing portion having a first thickness and a second casing portion having a second thickness; a fan case which are provided in the first casing portion and the second casing portion, and which includes a first fan case portion having a first extent and a second fan case portion having a second extent; and a fan which includes a first blade portion having a first size and a second blade portion having a second size so that at least a part of the second blade portion is provided in the second fan case portion.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-042467 filed on Feb. 28, 2011; the entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Exemplary embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, reduction in size and thickness of note type personal computers has been progressed. In addition, there has been trend towards designs of electronic apparatuses, which suggest the reduction in size and thickness thereof. There have been demands for reducing the thicknesses of end portions and peripheral portions of electronic apparatuses and emphasizing the thinness thereof from the viewpoint of designs.

However, from the standpoint of mounting components thereon in that when the thicknesses of end portions and peripheral portions of electronic apparatuses are reduced, the thinned end portions and peripheral portions thereof hinder the mounting of components thereon.

Accordingly, there is a demand for the effective use of a space formed in an end portion and a peripheral portion of an electronic apparatus when the thicknesses of the end portion and the peripheral portion are reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an external diagram showing an appearance of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a configuration of an electronic apparatus, the end portions and the peripheral portions of which are reduced in thickness;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a structure of an electronic apparatus, the end portions and the peripheral portions of which are reduced in thickness;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of an electronic apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of an electronic apparatus according to the embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of an electronic apparatus according to the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In general, according to one exemplary embodiment, an electronic apparatus is provided with: a casing which includes a first casing portion having a first thickness and a second casing portion having a second thickness; a fan case which are provided in the first casing portion and the second casing portion, and which includes a first fan case portion having a first extent and a second fan case portion having a second extent; and a fan which includes a first blade portion having a first size and a second blade portion having a second size so that at least a part of the second blade portion is provided in the second fan case portion.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external diagram showing an appearance of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment.

An electronic apparatus (notebook personal computer (PC)) 100 includes a casing 10, a keyboard 11, a touchpad 12, and a display unit 13. Hereinafter, the notebook PC 100 is described as an example of the electronic apparatus according to the embodiment.

According to the embodiment, the electronic apparatus 100 is not limited to the notebook PC, and the embodiments can be applied to other electronic apparatuses, such as a smartphone and a slate terminal, the end portions and the peripheral portions of each of which are reduced in thickness.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 is such that the keyboard 11 and the touchpad 12 are provided in the casing 10. Electronic components such as hardware for causing the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 to operate are incorporated in the casing 10.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic apparatus according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 includes a keyboard controller 21 for converting a key-input entered from the keyboard 11 into input data and inputting the input data to the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100. In addition, the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 includes a touchpad controller 22 for converting an operation-input entered from the touchpad 12 into input data and inputting the input data to the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100.

Further, the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 includes an input/output controller 26. The input/output controller 26 transfers, to a microprocessor (central processing unit (CPU)) provided in a main controller 27, input data input from the keyboard controller 21 and the touchpad controller 22. In addition, the input/output controller 26 controls, under the control of the CPU, an output operation of a display unit 13 and input/output operations of a storage device 28 such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid sate drive (SSD).

The main controller 27 includes a system memory configured to include a random access memory (RAM) which is loaded with an operating system (OS) and various application programs, and used as a work region, and a memory device such as a basic input/output system read-only memory (BIOS-ROM).

A network interface (I/F) 29 connected to the input/output controller 26 is an interface for connecting the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 to an external server (not shown) via a network such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN). The electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 can download desired programs and contents from the external server via the network I/F 29.

According to the embodiment, a cooling fan for reducing heat generated from the above electrical configuration is provided in the electronic apparatus whose end portions and peripheral portions are reduced in thickness, as will be described below.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a configuration of the electronic apparatus whose end portions and peripheral portions are reduced in thickness.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional diagram of the casing 10 of the electronic apparatus 100.

The casing 10 accommodates, e.g., many electronic components for implementing the above electrical configuration. The casing 10 includes a first casing portion 10 a that covers a substantially large area, and a second casing portion 10 b provided at, e.g., an end part or a peripheral part of the first casing portion 10 a.

The first casing portion 10 a has at least a certain thickness sufficient to accommodate the electronic components.

For example, in order to emphasize the thinness of the electronic apparatus from the viewpoint of designs, the second casing portion 10 b is configured to reduce the thickness of each of the end part and the peripheral part thereof and to have a second thickness smaller than the thickness of the above first casing portion 10 a.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of mounting components, there have been demands for placing a fan (blades) 31 closer to the second casing portion 10 b provided at the end portion or the peripheral portion of the above first casing portion 10 a.

Accordingly, in the first casing portion 10 a, sometimes, in a part of the inside of the second casing portion 10 b, a fan case 32 is provided.

The fan case 32 has a function of separating and protecting the fan (blades) 31 from other mounted components, and a function of guiding, in a desired direction, wind generated by the fan (blades) 31.

However, because the thickness of the second casing portion 10 b is small, as described above, a space difficult to use is formed due to the fan case 32 provided in a part of the inside of the second casing portion 10 b.

FIG. 3B is a view of the fan (blades) 31 provided in, e.g., the inside of the fan case 32, which is taken from above.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a part of the fan (blades) 31 is rotatably accommodated in the fan case 32.

Consequently, air-intake from upper and lower directions of the casing 10, as indicated with reference numeral 41, and air-exhaust for blowing wind in the casing 10, as indicated with reference numeral 42, are performed by, e.g., rotating the fan (blades) 31. For example, cooling fins (not shown) are provided in the casing 10 to thereby cool the electronic apparatus 100.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a structure of an electronic apparatus, the end portions and the peripheral portions of which are reduced in thickness.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the casing 10 of the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 according to this embodiment, which is taken on line corresponding to a position designated with reference numeral 30 from the direction of an arrow shown in FIG. 1.

Similarly to the electronic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3A, the electronic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment is provided with the casing 10.

The casing 10 accommodates many electronic components and includes the first casing portion 10 a which covers a substantially large area, and the second casing portion 10 b provided at, e.g., an end part or a peripheral part of the first casing portion 10 a.

The first casing portion 10 a has at least a certain thickness (first thickness) sufficient to accommodate the electronic components.

Similar to the example shown in FIG. 3A, the second casing portion 10 b is configured to reduce the thickness of each of the end part and the peripheral part thereof and to have a second thickness smaller than the thickness (the first thickness) of the first casing portion 10 a.

According to this example shown in FIG. 4A, a fan 131 is provided close to the second casing portion 10 b.

In addition, a fan case 132 is provided in the first casing portion 10 a and a part of the inside of the second casing portion 10 b.

The fan case 132 includes a first fan case portion 132 a which has a first extent that is a certain capacity, and a second fan case portion 132 b which has a second extent smaller than the above first extent.

The shape of the second fan case portion 132 b is provided to conform to, e.g., the shape of the above second casing portion 10 b so that the above second extent can be as much capacity as possible, i.e., so that a space in the second casing portion 10 b can effectively be utilized.

FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the fan (blades) 131 provided in, e.g., the above casing 10.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the fan (blades) 131 includes a first blade portion 131 a which has a first size, and a second blade portion 131 b which has a second size that is smaller than the above first size.

The second blade portion 131 b extends in a direction of the second casing portion 10 b provided at the end part or the peripheral part of the first casing portion 10 a. At least a part of the second blade portion 131 b is rotatably provided in the above second fan case portion 132 b.

Consequently, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 3, air-intake from upper and lower directions of the casing 10, as indicated with reference numeral 41, and air-exhaust for blowing wind in the casing 10, as indicated with reference numeral 42, are performed by, e.g., rotating the above fan (blades) 131. Thus, the cooling of the electronic apparatus 100 is performed.

Consequently, the volume of air blown into the casing 10 can be increased.

In addition, the space in the second casing portion 10 b can effectively be utilized.

A modification of this example can be configured by forming, e.g., the above fan (blades) 131 without providing the above second blade portion 131 b therein to place the above first blade portion 131 a as close as possible to the above second fan case portion 132 b thereby to effectively utilize the space in the second casing portion 10 b.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of an electronic apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the casing 10 of the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 according to the embodiment, which is taken on, e.g., line corresponding to a position designated with reference numeral 30 shown in FIG. 1.

According to the example shown in FIG. 5, a fan (blades) 231 is provided in the casing 10, and a second blade portion 231 b of the fan (blades) 231 is rounded.

Similarly to the electronic apparatus 100 according to the above examples, the electronic apparatus 100 according to the example shown in FIG. 5 has the casing 10. The casing 10 accommodates many electronic components and has the first casing portion 10 a which covers a substantially large area, and the second casing portion 10 b provided at, e.g., an end part or a peripheral part of the first casing portion 10 a.

The first casing portion 10 a has at least a certain thickness (first thickness) sufficient to accommodate the electronic components.

The second casing portion 10 b is configured to reduce the thickness of each of the end part and the peripheral part thereof and to have a second thickness smaller than the thickness (the first thickness) of the first casing portion 10 a.

Even in the example shown in FIG. 5, the fan 231 is provided close to the second casing portion 10 b.

In addition, a fan case 232 is provided in the first casing portion 10 a and a part of the inside of the second casing portion 10 b.

Similar to the example shown in FIG. 4A, the fan case 232 includes a first fan case portion 232 a which has a first extent that is a certain capacity, and a second fan case portion 232 b which has a second extent smaller than the above first extent.

The shape of the second fan case portion 232 b is provided to conform to, e.g., the shape of the above second casing portion 10 b so that the above second extent can be as much capacity as possible, i.e., so that a space in the second casing portion 10 b can be utilized as effectively as possible.

Similarly to the example shown in FIG. 4A, the rounded second blade portion 231 b extends in the direction of the second casing portion 10 b provided at the end part or the peripheral part of the first casing portion 10 a. At least a part of the second blade portion 231 b is rotatably provided in the above second fan case portion 232 b.

Consequently, the volume of air blown into the casing 10 can be increased. In addition, the space in the second casing portion 10 b can effectively be utilized.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the electronic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a casing 310 of the electronic apparatus (notebook PC) 100 according to the embodiment, which is taken on, e.g., line corresponding to a position designated with reference numeral 30 illustrated in FIG. 1.

According to the example, as shown in FIG. 6, a second casing portion 310 b provided at an end part or a peripheral part of a first casing portion 310 a is shaped by narrowing down a part thereof provided at the side of the bottom of the electronic apparatus 100.

In addition, the casing 310 in the electronic apparatus 100 accommodates many electronic components. Similarly to the above embodiments, the casing 310 has the first casing portion 310 a which covers a substantially large area, and the second casing portion 310 b provided at, e.g., an end part or a peripheral part of the first casing portion 310 a.

The first casing portion 310 a has at least a certain thickness (first thickness) sufficient to accommodate the electronic components. The second casing portion 310 b is configured to have a second thickness smaller than the thickness (the first thickness) of the first casing portion 310 a.

In this example shown in FIG. 6, the casing 310 is shaped by being narrowed down at a portion thereof provided at an end part or a peripheral part of the electronic apparatus 100.

Even in the example, a fan 331 is provided close to the second casing portion 310 b.

In addition, a fan case 332 is provided in a part of the inside of the first casing portion 310 a and the second casing portion 310 b.

The fan case 332 includes a first fan case portion 332 a which has a first extent that is a certain capacity, and a second fan case portion 332 b which has a second extent smaller than the first extent.

The shape of the second fan case portion 332 b is provided to conform to, e.g., the shape of the above second casing portion 310 b so that the above second extent can be as much capacity as possible, i.e., so that a space in the second casing portion 310 b can be utilized as effectively as possible.

In addition, the second blade portion 331 b extends in a direction of the second casing portion 310 b. At least a part of the second blade portion 331 b is rotatably provided in the second fan case portion 332 b.

Consequently, the volume of air blown into the casing 310 can be increased.

In addition, the space in the second casing portion 310 b can effectively be utilized.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the electronic apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

In this example, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 4B, a fan (blades) 131 provided in, e.g., the casing 10 includes a first blade portion 131 a which has a first size, and a second blade portion 131 b which has a second size that is smaller than the above first size.

That is, the fan (blades) 131 includes the first blade portion 131 a, and the second blade portion 131 b which is smaller than the first blade portion 131 a.

The provision of such a second blade portion 131 b enables that a space available for mounting electronic components is provided at the side of the first casing portion 10 a, as shown in FIG. 7.

Consequently, e.g., an electronic substrate 70 can be provided in the available space. Thus, the packaging density of the electronic apparatus 100 can be increased.

In the available space, in addition to the above electronic substrate 70, other electronic components such as cooling fins can be provided. Similarly, the packaging density of the electronic apparatus 100 can be increased.

With the above configuration, according to the embodiments, even when the end part and the peripheral part of the casing of the electronic apparatus are reduced in thickness, the fan can be provided in a part of such a space. Thus, the space can effectively be utilized.

While certain exemplary embodiment has been described, the exemplary embodiment has been presented by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions. 

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a casing which includes a first casing portion having a first thickness and a second casing portion having a second thickness; a fan case which are provided in the first casing portion and the second casing portion, and which includes a first fan case portion having a first extent and a second fan case portion having a second extent; and a fan which includes a first blade portion having a first size and a second blade portion having a second size so that at least a part of the second blade portion is provided in the second fan case portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fan case is provided to surround at least a part of the fan.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second thickness of the casing is smaller than the first thickness thereof.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fan case is provided inside each of the first casing portion and the second casing portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second extent of the fan case is narrower than the first extent thereof.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second size of the fan is smaller than the first size thereof.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second casing portion is provided in at least a part of a peripheral portion of the electronic apparatus.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a part of the second fan case is provided in the second casing portion, and wherein the second blade portion is provided in a part of the second fan case.
 9. An electronic apparatus comprising: a casing which includes a first casing portion having a first thickness and a second casing portion having a second thickness; which are provided in the first casing portion and the second casing portion, and which includes a first fan case portion having a first extent and a second fan case portion having a second extent; and a fan which includes a blade portion so that at least a part of the blade portion is provided in the second fan case portion. 